Aaron Donald is expected to make his return to action on Monday for the Los Angeles Rams after a two-year retirement. So, what are the New York Giants expecting from the nine-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler?
They are expecting Donald, 35, to be the great player he was during his initial 10 years in the NFL.
“Expect him to play like Aaron Donald, which is a game-wrecking type player inside,” Giants head coach John Harbaugh said. “Penetrating, active movement player who can wreck the game, really
any particular play in a lot of different ways, run and pass. So, we’re expecting him to play. We’re planning for him to be out there.”
Donald said this week that he is “feeling good”, and the “the plan” is for him to play.
Donald tried to downplay his potential impact, or the idea that he would get extra attention from Giants blockers.
“You think they’re going to double/triple team me [after] not playing for two years? They ain’t worried about me, man,” Donald said. “They don’t have to be worried about me. They don’t have to worry about me at all. No man, they don’t have to worry about me.
“Whatever happens, I’m just going to go out there and play my game and just try to do what I can do. I don’t know what they’re going to do out there. I don’t know what I’m going to get. All I can know is I got a game plan. I’m going to go out there, execute it, and just try to play ball. That’s it.”
The Giants will, of course, give etxra attention to one of the greatest defensive linemen of his generation.
Giants left guard Jon Runyan has played against Donald before. Runyan, rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa, and center John Michael Schmitz will have primary responsibility for containing Donald whenever he is on the field Monday night.
Runyan understands what Donald, even a rusty Donald, can do.
“He’s a really unique player for the defensive tackle position. He’s not the biggest guy, he’s listed as 6 foot, I don’t really know if he’s even 6 foot, 285, super strong, super athletic, super fast,” Runyan said. “He gets the ability to kind of play how he wants, jump around blocks, and he’s good at that.
“He’s out there to make plays. Great pass rusher, obviously. Very physical, strong, good with his hands, and he’s just on a different level when it comes to understanding, leverage, using his strengths, like his speed and his hands. He diagnoses everything really fast, and that’s why he’s been doing it at a high level for so long, and probably one of the best to do it of all time.”
Donald will likely play a limited number of snaps.
“I’ll probably be a lot more fresh. I’ll probably be fresh. It’s a long year, long season,” Donald said. “We have a lot of good football players out here. My game plan is, however it’s going to be, I’m going out go out there and play hard. And when I need a break, tap out, let the next guy go out there and eat, and I’ll be right back. I think we have a good game plan to get myself going and get this team going. Whatever that role is, I’m ready for it. I’m excited about it and I’m just going to do it.”
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has watched enough football, and looked at enough film, to understand the kind of player Donald has been.
“For the longest time that I can remember, he’s one of the most dominant players that I’ve watched,” Dart said. “So, getting the chance to go out there and compete against him, it’s going to be really cool just to be on the same field as him. He’s a great player, and I’ve heard that he’s kept himself in really good shape. So, it’s going to be a great competition.
“The real impact on the game from just a game plan standpoint, there’s countless clips of putting three offensive linemen on him and still being able to make a play. So, he’s an unbelievable player and has had an unbelievable career.”
Running back Cam Skattebo understands there will will likely come a time during the game where he meets Donald in the hole on a run play.
“I’m excited to play against him. He’s one of the best to ever do it. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good challenge for the guys up front. It’s going to be a good challenge,” Skattebo said. “If I have to meet him in the hole on third and one, then so be it. I’ve got to get one yard. But he’s a good player. He’s one of the best to ever do it. So, all respect to him.”
